Putin attends opening ceremony of Crimean Bridge (WATCH LIVE)

Tuesday marks the official opening of a 19km bridge connecting mainland Russia with the Crimean Peninsula. The ceremony is attended by President Vladimir Putin.

The Tuesday opening of the Crimean Bridge comes a day before automobile traffic will be allowed. The Kremlin kept the program of the ceremony secret, only saying that the people who created the massive construction in record time would play a key part in it. Whether Putin will head the column is his brand new limousine, ride a bulldozer, or simply give the literal green light to the workers, is up for speculation.

The bridge has two parts – one for automobile traffic, which is opening this week, and one for trains – which is to be finished next year. For several more months, trucks will not be allowed through, giving extra time to check all the safety measures and engineering quality.